250 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



PURELY NARCOTIC POISONINGS (NEUROTICS). 



1. Poisoning by Strychnine. 



Symptoms. They are those of toxic tetanus : intense and gen- 

 eral tetanic convulsions, the duration of which varies from a few 

 seconds to several minutes ; the neck and shoulders, spinal column, 

 limbs, and tail are extended and stiff; there is hypersesthesia ; 

 dyspnoeic condition during the attacks ; death occurs through 

 asphyxia. The course is very rapid ; the average time in dogs is 

 from five to six hours, and if this time is exceeded there is no 

 longer any danger of death. A very important symptom of diag- 

 nosis in small animals is the recovery from tetanic attacks as soon 

 as they are placed in a standing position (Gerlach). 



Autopsy. Lesions characteristic of asphyxia. There are no 

 material anatomical alterations, which is similar to the conditions 

 found in tetanus. 



Treatment. The best antidote is chloral hydrate (2 to 10 

 grammes for the dog). Repeated anaesthesia with chloroform is 

 also of great advantage. 



Injections of morphine, bromide of potassium administered in- 

 ternally, tannin given in a decoction of coffee or tea, are also 

 advisable means. At the outset we should prescribe an emetic. 

 Finally, artificial respiration may become necessary. 



Poisoning by strychnine is most frequently observed in the dog 

 after the ingestion of poisons intended to kill rats, but they may 

 be detected in subjects of our different domestic species as a con- 

 sequence of errors in doses or of mistakes in the administration of 

 remedies. The most sensitive of all animals is the dog (the fatal 

 dose is 0.005 to 0.020 gramme) ; next comes the horse (the fatal 

 dose is 0.1 to 0.3 gramme), then the ox (fatal dose, 0.3 to 0.4 

 gramme), the pig (which may be killed by a dose of 0.05 gramme), 

 and lastly chickens. 



2. Poisoning by Beech-tree Fruit. 



Symptoms. There are very violent colics (intestinal tetanus) ; 

 tonic and also clonic spasms which recall the tetanus produced by 

 strychnine, with symptoms of paralysis; a staggering gait, falls, 

 inability to rise. The course is very rapid, death being produced 

 by asphyxia within a few hours. 



